More than 300 wildfires have destroyed nearly 1,500 acres since the beginning of the year, and firefighters warn it could be longer than the average season.
The Tony Evers Government of Wisconsin on Monday signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency in response to rising wildfires, highlighting the nationwide efforts to control fires that have burned nearly 1,500 acres this year.
The executive order enables state agencies to assist in the prevention, response and recovery of wildfires.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, it also provides support from the Wisconsin National Guard.
“As the entire state experiences a high or very high fire risk, protecting Wisconsinites from the devastating dangers of wildfires is a top priority,” he said. Evers said in a news release.
In the past week, there have been 149 wildfires across Wisconsin, according to a map on the department’s website, and since the beginning of the year, there have been at least 340 fires.
Over the weekend, most of Wisconsin was at a very high risk for fire, including counties along the Illinois state border and counties along Lake Michigan. The wildfire conditions in the state will continue as long as there is a mix of dry vegetation, unpleasant hot temperatures, low humidity and increasing winds, the department said.
Fire permits for debris, barrels and grass were suspended last week and firefighters advised residents to avoid fires, including campfires, and to extinguish cigarettes properly.
While wildfires can occur at any time of the year, the department said most fires occur between March and May, making spring the most important fire season in Wisconsin.
Due to how early the snow melted in the state, firefighters expect a longer than average fire season this year.
Wisconsin has seen its share of devastating wildfires over the past twenty years. In 2013, a wooden house officer inadvertently started a fire that destroyed nearly 7,500 acres, including 23 residences, the department said. In 2005, a fire burned 3,410 acres and destroyed at least 30 residences.